MEDIA NOTE: Air Quality Workshop

On Wednesday, January 31, 2018, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., U.S. Embassy Ulaanbaatar will host an Air Quality Workshop at the American Corner, located inside the Ulaanbaatar Central Public Library. Chargé d’Affaires, a.i., Manuel P. Micaller and National Center for Public Health Director B. Tsogtbaatar will give opening remarks, to be followed by presentations by the following NGOs:

Project MASC: Project MASC educates students on the negative health impacts of air pollution and promotes taking personal mitigating actions such as limiting outdoor exposure and wearing masks. In 2018, Project MASC will work with the Bayangol Youth Development Center and four Bayangol district schools to train teachers, school administrators, youth volunteers, and students.

Ger Community Mapping Center (GCMC): GCMC develops geographic information system maps that document ger district challenges and inform decision making. In 2018, GCMC will map ger district children’s exposure to air pollution at home, on their commute to and from school, and at school using portable sensors. The project will provide data on air pollution exposure on an individual level and inform development of appropriate mitigation actions.

Gerhub: Gerhub develops solutions, including affordable ger insulation and environmentally-friendly heating solutions, to decrease coal burning in the ger districts. In December 2017, Gerhub worked with MIT researchers to encourage ger district residents to develop affordable solutions themselves through a design workshop.

EcoTown: The organization develops energy-efficient gers using local and environment-friendly materials. In 2018, EcoTown will develop a prototype ger and partner with France-based building material producer Saint-Gobain and Arig Bank to scale up the project.

Media is encouraged to cover the event, which is closed to the public. For inquiries or further information, please email the U.S. Embassy at pao@usembassy.mn.